Head and shoulder rest.



No. 655,9i2. Patented Aug. I4, |900.

G. M. sELLmaEn.

HEAD AND SHOULDER REST.

(Application led July 18, 189B.)

(No Model.)

" HWF.

GEORGE M. SELLINGER, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

HEAD AND SHOULDER REST.

SEOIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 655,912, dated August 14, 1900.

Application tiled July 18, 1898.

.To (LZZ whom, it may concern.-

Beit known that l, GEORGE M. SELLINGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Head and Shoulder Rests, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings.

Myinvention is a portable rest for the head and shoulders adapted to be used upon the iioor or a bed or upon the veranda, lawn, or other place for the convenience and comfort of a person reclining or in case of debility or sickness, the device being constructed to be closely folded into small space for the purpose of storing, handling, or packing for transport-ation.

One object of the invention is to originate a head and shoulder rest that may be easily constructed and at small expense.

A further object of the invention is to conn struct the device so that the lower movable parts shall be covered or protected, so that they shall not catch onto or injure the bedclothing when used upon a bed.

The invention comprises other improvements and advantages, all as hereinafter fully explained, and particularly pointed out in claim.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of the device in position for use. Fig. 2 is a plan with a part of the supporting fabric broken away. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section taken on the dotted line 3 3 in Fig. 2, parts being shown in various positions' by full and dotted lines. Fig. 4t is a plan of the base-fran1e. Fig. 5 is a plan of the brace for the tilting frame, seen as indicated by arrow in Fig. l, the tilting frame being transversely sectioned.

Referringto the drawings, A is a rigid rectangular open base-frame, preferably made of wood, formed of deep vertical side pieces or rails d d and cross-bars b b. To the front` cross-bar Z9 is secured, by hinges c c, a minor rectangular tilting or swinging frame B, Figs. 2 and 3, adapted to swing in a vertical plane upon the frame A. The tilting frame B, which is also preferably made of wood, is provided at its rear or lower side with a brace C, Figs. 3 and 5, joined to said frame B by hinges d, Figs. l and'.

Serial No. 686,260. (No model.)

This brace, as appears in Fig. 5, is an open rectangular frame, of wood, formed with a horizontal foot-bar f, with ends overhanging or projecting beyond the sides of the brace. The side rails ad of the base-frame are provided on theirinner vertical faces with notched bars or rests c e, Figs. 3 and 4i, in position to engage the foot-barfof the brace C. This foot-bar isof such length as to just pass freely between the side rails, its extreme overhanging ends being adapted to drop into the notches g of the rests e e to control the tilting frame Band hold it in different positions of inclination or adjustment, as shown in Fig. 3.

The front cross-bar b of the base-frame is on a level with the lower edge of the frame,

as shown in Fig. 3, the rear cross-bar b being placed some distance higher and inserted in mortises in the siderails. In this position the rear cross-bar serves as a rest for the brace in holding the tilting frame B in one of its inclined positions. The frame BJ and the brace C are of such width as to pass, when lowered, readily in between the side rails d a and occupy the space within the brace-frame and when therein disappearing wholly below the upper edges of the side rails. When the parts B and O are thus dropped to their lowest positions or folded within the base-frame, the brace O is carried across on top of the crossbar b', as indicated in the lowest dotted positions of the parts shown in Fig. 3.

A strip of fabric D, as of Brussels carpeting or canvas, is secured by common means to the upper side of the tilting frame B, which fabric, yielding or bending into the hollow of the frame when pressed by the weight of the occupant, constitutesa comfortable support for the shoulders of a person reclining while reading or slumbering or for a patient occupying a bed.

The tilting frame isusually formed with a cross-headboard E, having raised curved ends, to conveniently receive a pillow or a cushion upon which to rest the head when the occupant lies well up or back upon the tilting frame, or as sometimes used ,only the head or the head and the upper part of the shoulders are caused to rest upon the tilting frame, in which case the yielding fabric or part D constitutes a comfortable rest for both, the

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head being below the headboard E and the pillow omitted, or when found convenient and comfortable two pillows may be employed, one upon the headboard for the head and the other placed longitudinally upon the fabric for the shoulders.

Buffers h, of india-rubber or other soft inaterial, of any desired form or size are secured to the rear ends of the rails a, Ct to prevent the device from marring or injuring the headboard of the bedstead when the device is used upon a bed.

The side rails ct a are purposely made deep toward their rear ends, so as to oppose and cover the projecting ends of the foot-bar f of the brace, these projecting ends nearly touching the respective inner faces of the side rails. On account of this construction and arrangement of the parts the tilting frame and the brace are held against any tendency to move laterally or sidewise, and the ends of the footbar are prevented from catching onto the clothing ofthe bed when the brace is shifting for adjusting the position of the tilting frame. At their 'forward ends the rails are usually cut away or :reduced in depth, so as to be out of the way of the arms or elbows of the occupant of the rest.

Vhen the device is not in use, itis folded into small space, as above stated, to be set aside or laid away. In its folded form it is rendered convenientfor packing for the purpose of transportation or for handling or carrying about, as to pleasure resorts or for summer outings or upon the lawn.

What I claim as my invention is- A portable rest for the head and shoulders comprising a base-frame formed ywith vertical side rails and cross-bars in different horizontal planes, inclined notched rests independent of and secured to the inner faces of the side rails and extending forwardly from the under side of the front edge of the highest cross-bar, a tilting frame hinged to and resting upon the upper face of the lower cross-bar and provided at its free extremity with a transverse headboard and a brace-frame of a width to pass between the side rails of the base-frame and pivoted at one end to the under side of the tilting frame and provided with a foot-bar having extended ends designed to engage the rests and an inclined face designed to lie flush against the front face of the rear cross-bar of the base-frame when the tilting frame is in its lowest adjustment.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 29th day of June, 1898, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE M. SELLINGER.

Witnesses: y 4

ENOS B. WHITMORE, M. L. WINsToN. 

